De Redin towers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids De Redin Towers |
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| Various locations in Malta and Gozo | |
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View of Naxxar's coastline, with three De Redin towers visible (Għallis, St. Mark's and Madliena Towers)
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| Type | Coastal watchtowers |
| Site information | |
| Condition | 8 intact 2 in ruins 3 destroyed |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1658–1659 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| In use | 1658–1940s |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Battles/wars | Siege of Malta (1798–1800) World War II |
The De Redin Towers (Maltese: Torrijiet ta' De Redin) are a series of small watchtowers built along the coast of Malta. They were constructed by the Order of Saint John between 1658 and 1659. Thirteen towers were originally built on the main island of Malta. Today, eight of these towers are still standing. The Mġarr ix-Xini Tower on Gozo, built in 1661, looks very similar to the De Redin towers.
Contents
History of the Towers
Why Were the Towers Built?
In 1657, Martin de Redin, a Spanish knight, became the leader of the Order of St. John. He decided to build 13 new watchtowers. These towers would make Malta's existing coastal defense system even stronger. The older system included the Wignacourt and Lascaris towers.
How the Towers Were Designed
The new towers were designed like the Sciuta Tower, which was built in 1638. Each tower had a square base and two floors. There was also a small turret on the roof. The entrance was on the top floor, reached by a ladder that could be pulled up.
The top room was where four guards lived. The bottom room was used for storage. Two cannons were placed on the roof of each tower.
How the Towers Communicated
Each tower was built so that it could see two other towers nearby. This allowed them to send signals to each other. They could communicate all the way from Gozo to the Grand Harbour. During the day, they used smoke or fired cannons. At night, they used fire to send messages.
Building the Towers
The first tower, Għajn Ħadid, started being built in March 1658. It was finished in just two months. The other twelve towers were completed within the next year. The last one was ready by July 1659.
In 1661, the Mġarr ix-Xini Tower was built on Gozo. It looked very much like the De Redin towers. These towers were the last series of coastal watchtowers built in Malta.
Changes Over Time
Around 1715, some towers were improved. Aħrax Tower and Saint Julian's Tower became coastal batteries. This meant they had gun platforms built around them. These platforms helped protect the coast.
In the 1740s, special pits called fougasses were dug near some towers. These pits could be used to launch explosives. You can still see fougasses near Madliena Tower and Saint Mark's Tower.
The De Redin towers were not very important when the French took over Malta in 1798. They were old by then. However, Saint Julian's Tower was captured by Maltese rebels during the uprising against the French.
The Towers in British Times
On October 12, 1856, an earthquake caused the top floor of Għajn Ħadid Tower to collapse. Only its base remains today.
Most other towers were no longer used in the 1800s. But Madliena Tower was changed to be like a Martello tower. It was used until World War II.
In the late 1800s or early 1900s, the British tore down some towers. These included Bengħisa Tower, Delimara Tower, and Żonqor Tower. They did this to clear the way for new forts or batteries.
Saving the Towers
By the end of the 1900s, nine De Redin towers were still standing. Many were in poor condition. Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower and Ħamrija Tower were in danger of falling apart.
Groups like Din l-Art Ħelwa and Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna began to restore the towers. Għallis Tower and Saint Mark's Tower were restored first. Later, Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower and Madliena Tower were also fixed up. Ħamrija Tower was restored by Heritage Malta.
More recently, Aħrax Tower and Wardija Tower have also been restored. Today, you can visit Għallis Tower and Saint Mark's Tower by appointment. Saint Julian's Tower is now a restaurant.
The De Redin Towers List
| Name | Image | Location | Built | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Għajn Ħadid Tower |  |
Mellieħa | 1658 | Collapsed, now ruins |
| Għallis Tower |  |
Naxxar | 1658 | Still standing |
| Saint Mark's Tower |  |
Naxxar | 1658 | Still standing |
| Madliena Tower |  |
Pembroke | 1658 | Still standing |
| Saint Julian's Tower |  |
Sliema | 1658 | Still standing |
| Aħrax Tower |  |
Mellieħa | 1658 | Still standing |
| Bengħisa Tower | Birżebbuġa | 1659 | Torn down | |
| Xrobb l-Għaġin Tower | Marsaxlokk | 1659 | Now ruins | |
| Triq il-Wiesgħa Tower |  |
Żabbar | 1659 | Still standing |
| Delimara Tower | Marsaxlokk | 1659 | Torn down | |
| Żonqor Tower | Marsaskala | 1659 | Torn down | |
| Ħamrija Tower |  |
Qrendi | 1659 | Still standing |
| Wardija Tower |  |
Żurrieq | 1659 | Still standing |
Towers That Look Similar
Over the years, other buildings were made to look like the De Redin towers. One example is the Torre dello Standardo. This tower is near the main gate of Mdina. It was built in 1725 to help send signals to the coastal watchtowers. Today, it is a tourist information center.
Another building that looked like the De Redin towers was the Falkun Tower (Maltese: Torri Falkun). It was built at the Montekristo Estates. This tower was later taken apart starting in 2016.
Symbols and Emblems
Armed Forces of Malta (AFM)
The emblem of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) features a gold De Redin tower on a red background. This symbol was first used by the Malta Land Force (MLF) in 1965. It was kept when the MLF became the AFM in 1973.
A De Redin tower symbol is also on the flag of the AFM Commander. You can also see it on the emblem of the Air Wing. It appears on other military badges too.
Malta Stock Exchange
The coat of arms of the Malta Stock Exchange has two gold De Redin towers. They are on either side of the shield. These towers represent security and watching over things.
Pembroke Town
De Redin towers are also on the flag and coat of arms of Pembroke. This is a town on the northern coast of Malta. The coat of arms has two crossed swords in the middle. Around the edge are the thirteen De Redin towers, all in gold on a red background. The swords and towers show Pembroke's connection to the military. The town grew from a British Army base.
See also
In Spanish: Torres de Redín para niños
